Ngai Tahu Tourism Placement Programme 2026
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Locations
Takapō / Tekapo, Tāhuna / Queenstown, Waiau / Franz Josef, Te Anau, Te Rua‑o‑te‑Moko / Fiordland, Rotorua, Taupō‑nui‑a‑Tia / Taupō, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
Hourly rate: Living Wage, $28.95/hour
Duration:
- Placements are typically 12 weeks (flexible start and finish dates) and minimum 32 hours per week
- Depending on the business and location, placements may be available throughout the year
Applications close: 5pm, 1 August 2026
He ara hou mōu – Your pathway starts here
Are you ready to gain real world experience in tourism while bringing your Ngāi Tahu whakapapa, values, and perspective with you?
Do you want to work in some of the most stunning places in Aotearoa?
Are you looking for hands on experience, guidance, and a chance to grow your confidence and explore future career pathways?
The Ngāi Tahu Tourism Placement Programme is open to rangatahi and pakeke and is designed for Ngāi Tahu whānui who are ready to step into a structured, supportive workplace experience within tourism and hospitality.
Placements take place within busy, commercially focused tourism businesses, where learning happens through hands on work, teamwork, and day to day operations.
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is proud to offer placement opportunities that are about more than just a job. This programme is about building skills, confidence, connections, and pride — supporting you on a pathway that can extend well beyond the placement itself.
What you could be involved in
Depending on the location and business, placements may include opportunities to:
- Guide visitors through the All Blacks Experience in Tāmaki Makaurau, sharing the story of our national team
- Work in retail and guest experience roles across our businesses, helping manuhiri take home a piece of the magic
- Live the rural lifestyle at Agrodome, Rotorua, connecting with the land, animals, and visitors
- Explore the stars at Dark Sky Project, Takapō, perfect for those fascinated by astronomy and te ao Māori
- Support glacier adventures with Franz Josef Glacier Guides in Waiau, helping prepare guests for their icy experience
- Support guest experiences that reflect Ngāi Tahu values, stories, and pride where appropriate to the role
- Gain experience across customer service, operations, and behind‑the‑scenes roles
Not sure which role or location is right for you?
That’s completely okay. Our team is here to kōrero with you (and your whānau, if helpful) to help find the best fit — whether that’s the right business, location, or pathway forward. We’ll support you every step of the way.
Who we’re looking for
This programme is best suited to applicants who are in Year 13 or above, or who have completed school and are ready for a structured, full‑time workplace experience.
You’ll be a great fit if you:
- Are a registered Ngāi Tahu member (not registered yet? We can help with that)
- Are physically fit and able to meet the demands of a hands‑on tourism environment, which may include being on your feet, working outdoors, and engaging with visitors
- Are able to commit to a full‑time placement, with a minimum of 32 hours per week
- Are open to living independently or in shared accommodation if placed away from your home base
- Bring enthusiasm, reliability, and a strong willingness to learn
- Are proud to represent your iwi and motivated to grow your skills and confidence in tourism and hospitality
- Enjoy working with people and being part of a team
What support is provided?
We want you to feel set up for success. Depending on the role and location, support may include:
- Accommodation support, including an accommodation allowance in some locations
- Uniform provided
- Flexible start and finish dates (where possible)
- Ongoing support from our people and wider Ngāi Tahu Tourism whānau
A one‑off placement – with future pathways
The Ngāi Tahu Tourism Placement Programme is a one‑off opportunity.
If you’ve previously completed a Ngāi Tahu Tourism placement, we won’t place you again through this programme — but we would still love to welcome you back to the whānau. Past placement participants are encouraged to explore our permanent and fixed‑term opportunities across our nine Ngāi Tahu Tourism businesses and to reach out to kōrero about what opportunities we have and next steps – our contact details are below.
This programme is about opening doors — and there are many ways to walk through them.
A safe and supportive workplace
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is a fun, unique, and supportive place to work, and health and safety is a top priority. Before starting, you’ll complete standard pre‑employment checks, including drug and alcohol testing. This helps us look after you, your teammates, and our manuhiri.
Our kaupapa and commercial reality
Ngāi Tahu Tourism businesses are proudly Ngāi Tahu owned and values led, and our culture, stories, and people are an important part of who we are. At the same time, these are commercial tourism businesses operating in competitive markets.
Placements will primarily focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences, supporting day to day operations, and learning how strong, sustainable tourism businesses operate. While some roles may include opportunities to engage with te reo Māori, Ngāi Tahu values, and cultural storytelling, understanding the balance between culture and commerce is a key part of the learning journey within Ngāi Tahu Tourism.
Ready to take the first step?
Apply now – nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai!
Need support with your application? No problem. We’re happy to help and can connect you with someone to kōrero through the process and answer any pātai you might have.
To get started, reach out to:
Kate Smith – kate.smith@ngaitahu.iwi.nz | 📱 021 241 2579
Jo Mackenzie – jo.mackenzie@ngaitahu.iwi.nz | 📱 021 246 6661
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui – we can’t wait to welcome you to the whānau.
